Ward Melville’s offense continued to shine this weekend, making a very strong case as the best in Suffolk County, if not the entire Island.
The Patriots rolled to a 35-7 victory over Walt Whitman, marking the third straight game in which they scored at least 35 points. Over that span, they have piled up 119 total points while improving their record to 3-0.
Ward Melville wasted no time setting the tone. Before fans could get settled into their seats Angelo Sorbera returned the opening kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown, an early omen of what was to come. On their first offensive possession, quarterback Hudson Philbrick connected with Jesse Spronck for a 54-yard touchdown, giving the Patriots more than Whitman would manage all afternoon.
Philbrick didn’t need to do much through the air, finishing 5 of 7 for under 100 yards, but the QB hurt Whitman with his legs as well. He carried seven times for nearly 70 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown run. Senior running back Joey Benedetto continued the ground dominance, rushing nine times for over 50 yards and two scores.
Spronck made the most of his lone reception, turning it into a 50-plus yard touchdown. Contributions came from all over the field as the offense continued its balanced attack.
While the spotlight has been on the Patriots’ offense, the defense has been equally impressive. They limited Whitman to just one touchdown and have now surrendered only four scores through the first three games. That suffocating unit has given Ward Melville a complete team identity early in the season.
Looking ahead, the Patriots will host Sachem North this Saturday. Sachem is coming off a dominant 38-0 league win over Bay Shore, setting the stage for what could be one of the week’s marquee matchups in Suffolk County football.